New Balance Athlete Esther Joy Chen Delivers Breakthrough Half Marathon Performance at Nagoya City Marathon 2026

Kuala Lumpur, 10 March 2026 - New Balance athlete Esther Joy Chen delivered a breakthrough performance at the 2026 Nagoya City Marathon, reaffirming her status as one of Malaysia’s most promising endurance athletes and showcasing the brand’s commitment to elevating Southeast Asian talent on the world stage.

Esther produced a standout run to secure third place overall with a new personal best of 1:19:27, shaving more than five minutes off her previous best of 1:24:52, which she recorded at Nagoya two years ago. This result places Esther among the fastest Malaysian women’s half marathon performances ever recorded, surpassing the current national record of 1:24:44.

The race also featured an exceptional performance from Singaporean New Balance athlete Nicole Low, pictured in the middle, who secured first place with an impressive time of 1:17:41, shaving more than a minute off her previous personal best of 1:18:43 recorded at the 2025 Gold Coast Marathon. Her performance positions her as the second-fastest Singaporean women’s half marathon runner in history.

Together, Esther and Nicole represent the growing depth and strength of Southeast Asian distance running and reflect New Balance’s ongoing dedication to supporting athletes across the region.

Fuelled by months of disciplined preparation, Esther approached the race with renewed focus and determination, pushing through a highly competitive field to deliver a performance that underscores the resilience and mindset required of elite endurance athletes.

“This half marathon training block has been such a special part of my running journey. Every cycle teaches me something new about resilience, discipline and trusting the process. A year ago, I might have doubted myself, but standing at the start line in Nagoya I felt a mix of nerves, excitement and confidence. I am grateful for how far I have come and excited to see how much further I can grow.” said Esther Joy.

Looking ahead, Esther shared that while running continues to play an important role, her long-term ambitions remain rooted in triathlon.

“The goal has always been to return to triathlon. Running has been an amazing chapter, and it has strengthened me in many ways. I will still pop into the running scene occasionally, but the main focus now is working toward Asian Games qualification in triathlon and getting back into consistent training in the pool.”

New Balance remains committed to empowering athletes who push boundaries and redefine what is possible. Esther and Nicole’s achievements in Nagoya reinforce the brand’s dedication to supporting athletes in their pursuit of excellence.